Manchester City’s winning streak ended by Crystal Palace

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Manchester City’s 18-game top-flight winning run was ended by a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

City conceded an injury-time penalty but goalkeeper Ederson the spot-kick from Luka Milivojevic. Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said Pep Guardiola’s side have an “air of invincibility about them”.

The draw preserves their unbeaten record in the league this season and takes them 14 points clear at the top. This is the biggest gap between the leaders and the chasing pack at this stage of the season in top-flight history.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal went through the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten, but Guardiola thinks City will not match that feat.

“I am not thinking to be unbeaten,” said Guardiola. “That is not going to happen.

“Maybe Arsene is worried about that but I tell him many times that 2004 run is for him. Today is completely different to 2004.

“There are now more strong teams, a lot of competitions, a lot of games.”

Guardiola left Selhurst Park with two injury concerns. Striker Gabriel Jesus ledt the field in tears in the first half. Kevin de Bruyne was taken off on a stretcher after a heavy tackle from Jason Puncheon in the final minute.

It leaves City with only one fit senior striker in Sergio Aguero, who came on for Jesus.

Palace were rewarded as their defensive grit and off-the-ball energy shone through in an enthralling contest.

The point means the Eagles start 2018 outside of the bottom three, a point above West Ham in 18th.

They also secured only their second home clean sheet in the league all season, against a team that has scored 102 goals in 2017.

The downside to playing their energetic part in such an eventful contest was a first-half injury to centre-back Scott Dann.

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